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| LIBRARY OF. CONGRESS. | 

Chap. .£.2l-60-4£- 
Shelf -il 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 



FOR 



THE DEAF AND DUMB. 



Scrip. Les. 



J * v 



4 



^° 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by 

HARVEY PRINDLE PEET, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern 

District of New York. 



PREFACE. 



This little work was designed as a part of a series 
of elementary books prepared with a view to the 
wants of a peculiar class of learners. In the instruc- 
tion of the deaf and dumb, the combined lights of 
philosophy and experience teach us to begin with 
the simplest possible forms of language, to avoid 
wholly at the outset, and as much as possible for 
some time, idiomatic phrases, and to proceed by slow 
and gradual steps from the simple to the more com- 
plex. The ordinary reading books, for children who 
hear, fulfil none of these conditions. Their use would 
involve the necessity of introducing serious difficulties 
of construction long before the pupil is prepared for 
them, and thus the benefit of a well-arranged course 
of instruction would be in a measure lost. 

Still, it is not always possible, if we would write 
English, to express certain indispensable circum- 
stances, in a narrative, or description, without an 
occasional resort to idiomatic expressions. In such 
cases, the word or phrase is printed in italics, to de- 
note that it requires more particular explanation and 
illustration from the teacher. 

The necessity of expressing the first few lessons in 



ii PREFACE. 

the present tense only, and only with nouns, verbs, 
and adjectives, has been one of the considerations 
which determined the order of arrangement. 

"Without attempting to decide between the theory 
which would lay the foundation of religious belief in 
the convictions of the understanding, and the practice 
which lays it in the pure and confiding heart of 
childhood, it has been held sufficient, that the order 
here adopted admits of introducing the Scripture 
Lessons at an earlier stage of the course, and of 
making them correspond more fully to the order in 
which the difficulties presented by the etymology and 
syntax of our language are to be met and overcome. 

In the present work, it has been the aim of the 
author to make the narrative concise, yet clear and 
interesting. That in these points his long experience 
as an instructor has enabled him to be in some de- 
gree successful, he is inclined to believe, as well 
from the expressed approbation of competent judges, 
as from the results of actual trial in his own school. 
Having in this, and other instances, assumed the re- 
sponsibilities of authorship solely in the hope that 
his labors might be useful, he will feel himself suffl 
ciently rewarded if that hope is not disappointed. 

H. P. P. 

Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, 
New York, October 24, 1846. 



PREFACE 



SECOND EDITION. 



The first edition of this little work having met 
with unexpected favor, not only with teachers of the 
deaf and dumb, but with the public at large, the 
best return the author can make is, by diligently re- 
vising the present edition, and endeavoring to make 
it still more acceptable. Some of the sections have 
been rewritten, and two new sections added. 

The questions in several of the sections have also 
been remodelled, to agree better with the order of 
the text. The author would, however, observe, that 
the object of the questions should be, not so much to 
draw out, by leading questions, the repetition of the 
text as a mere effort of the memory, as to test 
whether the pupil understands what he has learned, 
and to invite him to independent reflection. 

In a book for children, the pictorial illustrations 
are not merely an attractive, but an important fea- 
ture. They help to make the task of explanation 



i v PREFACE. 

more easy, and if well executed, they make the les- 
sons much more impressive, and thus fix the leading 
facts more firmly in the memory. In the present 
edition, greater attention has been paid to this point. 
The series of cuts will assist the parents and teachers 
of deaf-mute children to communicate to them the 
leading facts of Scripture history, thereby affording 
early and salutary exercise for their faculties, and 
preparing them betimes for that fuller instruction 
which they will receive from the word of God. 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 



Section I. God, .... 

" II. Where is God? ... 

" III. What should we do ? . 
" IV. The soul is immortal, 
" V. God made all things, 
" VI. The Creation, 
" VII. The works of God are wonderful, 



10 
12 
13 
16 
19 



PART II. 

Section I. Adam and Eve, 
II. Cain and Abel, 

III. The Flood, 

IV. Abraham and Isaac, . 
V. Lot, . . 

Rebekah, 

Jacob, ..... 

Jacob's dream, 

Jacob meets Rachel at the well, 

Joseph, .... 

Moses, .... 



VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XL 

XII. 



The Ten Commandments, 



21 
23 
24 
27 
30 
32 
35 
38 
39 
42 
48 
51 



6 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 


Section XIII. 


Joshua, ..... 


53 


" XIV. 


The Judges, .... 


54 


" XV. 


Ruth, Samuel, and Saul, 


57 


" XVI. 


David, 


59 


" XVII. 


Absalom, ..... 


61 


" XVIII. 


Solomon, 


62 


" XIX. 


Ahab, 


63 


" XX. 


Elijah and Elisha, 


65 


'< XXI. 


Daniel, . 


67 


" XXII. 


Esther, 


70 


" XXIII. 


Jonah, . . 


73 


" XXIV. 


The Birth of Jesus Christ, 


75 


" XXV. 


The Wise Men, and the Massacre 






of the Children, 


78 


" XXVI. 


The Baptism, Preaching, and Mira- 






cles of Christ, 


80 


" XXVII. 


Judas betrays Christ, 


83 


" XXVIII. 


The Crucifixion, 


85 


" XXIX. 


The Resurrection, ... 


88 


« XXX. 


The Apostles and first Martyrs, . 


90 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS, 

PART I. 



SECTION I. 

GOD. 

1. Some men are strong. 
God is almighty. 
Some men are wise. 
God is all-wise. 
Some men are learned. 
God is omniscient. 

"We are weak, foolish, and ignorant. 

God is almighty, all- wise, and omniscient. 

2. Men are often weary. 
God is never weary. 
Men often sleep. 
God never sleeps. 
Men often err. 

God never errs. 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

Men often forget. 
God never forgets. 
Men often change. 
God never changes. 

God is never weary. God never sleeps. 
God never errs. God never forgets. 
God never changes. 

3. Men are often wicked. 
God is holy. 
Men are often unkind. 
God is good. 
Men are often deceitful. 
God is true. 
Men are often unjust. 
God is just. 
Men are often cruel. 
God is merciful. 

God is holy. God is good. God is true. 
God is just. God is merciful. 
Good men do wrong sometimes. God always 
does right. 

4. All men have been children. 
God has always been God. 
All men will die. 
God will never die. 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 9 

God has never been young. 
God will never be old. 
God is eternal. 

QUESTIONS. 

2. Does God ever sleep ? Does God ever err ? Does 
God ever forget ? Does God ever change ? 

3. Does God ever do wrong? 

4. Will God ever die? 



SECTION II. 

WHERE IS GOD? 

5. God is in heaven and everywhere. We 
cannot see him. He is a spirit. The angels 
see him. Good men will see him in heaven. 

6. We cannot see God, but God sees us al- 
ways. He sees us in the dark. He knows all 
we do. He knows all we say. He knows all 
we think. 

7. God loves and will reward the good. God 

hates and will punish the wicked. We cannot 

hide from God. We cannot deceive him. We 

cannot escape him. We must fear and obey 

him. 

GIUESTIONS. 

5. Where is God ? Can we see God ? What is God ? 
Who see God ? Where will good men see God ? 



10 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

6. Does God see us? Does God need light to see us? 
Does God know what we do ; say, and think ? 

7. Whom does God love and reward? Whom does 
God hate and punish? Can we hide from God? Can 
we deceive or escape him ? 



SECTION III. 
WHAT SHOULD WE DO? 

8. We have all sinned. We have been proud 
and envious. We have been unkind and selfish. 
We have been deceitful. We have been un- 
just. We have been angry. We have been 
disobedient. We have been dishonest. 

We must repent. We must pray to God. 
We must confess our sins. We must be sorry 
for our sins. God is merciful. He will for- 
give us. 

9. We should be humble. We should be con- 
tented. We should be patient. We should be 
sincere. We should be kind. We should be just. 
We must obey our parents and teachers. 

QUESTIONS. 

8. Have all men sinned? What sins have we been 
guilty of? ";• 

What must sinners do? Will God forgive repenting 
sinners. 

9. What should we be ? 






SCRIPTURE LESSONS. H 

10. We must not lie. We must not steal. 
We must not swear. We must not fight. We 
must not hurt ourselves. We must not hurt 
others. We must do to others as we wish 
others to do to us. We must not be revenge- 
ful. We must forgive our enemies and love 
them. If we do not forgive our enemies, God 
will not forgive us. 

11. Our parents and friends love us. They 
work for us. They take care of us when we 
are sick. We must love them. We must not 
grieve them. 

God gives us food and clothes. God gives 
us health and happiness. God gives us friends 
and teachers. God gives us the Bible. We 
must love and obey God. We must worship 
him. We should fear to offend him. 

QUESTIONS. 

10. What must we not do? What must we do to 
others ? What must we do to our enemies ? 

1 1 . What do our parents and friends do £b us ? What 
must we do to them ? 

Who gives us food and clothes ? What other blessings 
does God give us? Whom must we love and obey? 
Whom must we fear and worship ? 



12 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

SECTION IV. 

THE SOUL IS IMMORTAL. 

12. Man has a body and a soul. Spirits 
have no bodies. Animals have no souls. The 
body feels hunger, thirst, heat, cold, pain, and 
sickness. The soul hopes and fears. The soul 
loves and hates. The soul thinks, knows, re- 
members, and learns. The soul wills. The 
soul sins. The soul repents. The soul is 
happy and unhappy. 

The body dies. The soul never dies. The 
souls of the good will be happy in heaven. 
The souls of the wicked will be miserable in 
hell. If we are kind, honest, and industrious, 
we shall be happy in this life. If we are good 
and pious, we shall be happy after death, in 
heaven with the angels for ever. 

QUESTIONS. 

12. What beings have no bodies ? What beings 
have no souls ? What beings have both body and soul ? 
What does the body feel ? What does the soul do ? 

Have you a soul ? Will your soul ever die ? Where 
does the soul go after death? Do you wish to go to 
heaven when you die ? What must you be to be happy 
in this life ? What must you be to go to heaven ? Who 
will be your companions in heaven ? 

Answer. 1. Angels and the souls of good men, 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 13 

SECTION V. 
GOD MADE ALL THINGS. 

13. A man made this table. It is made of 
wood. A woman made this dress. It is made 
of calico. Men made the calico. It is made 
of cotton. This handkerchief is linen. Linen 
is made from flax. Bread is made of flour. 
Flour is made from wheat. Men and women 
make many things of wood, of cotton, of flax. 
Can men make wood ? Can women make 
cotton ? They cannot. Wood grows in trees. 
Cotton, flax, and wheat grow on plants. Trees 
and plants grow from the ground. Men can 
plant seeds, and raise trees, and cotton, and 
flax, and wheat. 

Men cannot make seeds. The seeds grow 
on old plants. God made the first trees and 
plants. He caused them to bear flowers, fruit, 
and seeds. 

QUESTIONS. 

13. Who made this box? Who made that dress? 
Who made that basket ? Who built that sloop ? Who 
built that bridge ? 

What is this basket made of? What is that stool 
made of? What is this paper made of? (Cotton rags.) 



14 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

What things are made of flour? What things are 
made of wood ? What things are made of cotton? 

Can you make a dress ? Can you make a sled ? Can 
you make a basket ? Can you make calico ? Can you 
make paper ? 

Can you make wood ? Can you make wheat ? Can 
you make grass? Can you make apples? Can you 
make seeds ? Who made the first plants and trees ? 

How do men get wood, cotton, flax, and wheat ? 
Where do we get seeds? Can men make seeds? Who 
made the first plants and trees ? Who caused plants to 
bear flowers, fruit, and seeds? 

14. A man made this shoe. It is made of 
leather. Leather is made from the skins of 
oxen, cows, calves, and other animals. 

Men and women made this coat. It is 
made of cloth. Cloth is made of wool. Wool 
grows on the backs of sheep. This dress is 
made of silk. The silk-worm makes silk. 
This comb is made of tortoise-shell. This hat 
is made of fur. Fur grows on the bodies of 
beavers and other animals. 

Candles are made of tallow. Butter is made 
from milk. Men cannot make skins, or wool, 
or silk, or fur, or shells. They cannot make 
tallow, or milk. These substances grow on ani- 
mals, or within animals. Animals are born from 
old animals. God made the first animals. 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 15 

dUESTIONS. 

Who made these boots ? Who made this vest ? Who 
made that hat? What are saddles made of? What is 
harness made of? What are muffs made of? What are 
ribbons made of? What is cheese made from? 

What things are made of leather ? What things are 
made of wool ? What things are made of bone ? 

Can you make butter? Can you make shoes? Can 
you make a coat? Can men make wool? Can men 
make horns, or bones, or shells? How are animals 
continued on the earth ? Who made the first animals ? 

15. This slate is a stone. Men dug it out 
of the ground. Men polished it, and put it in 
a frame. Men cannot make the stone. God 
made it long ago. 

This house is built of bricks. Bricks are 
made of clay. Cups and plates are made of 
fine clay. Clay lies in great beds in the earth. 
Grod made the clay. 

This watch is made of steel and silver. A 
cunning man made it. Men melt steel and 
silver from ores. Men dig ores out of a deep 
mine. Men melt them in a very hot fire. 
Iron and steel, copper and zinc, lead and tin, 
silver and gold, are all melted from ores. 
Men cannot make ores. Some men search for 
ores and mines. They are glad when they 



16 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

find a new mine. They must work very hard 
and spend much money to get ores. God 
alone can make ores. 

QUESTIONS. 

15. What is this slate made of? Where is the stone 
found ? Who made the stone ? 

What is this house built of? What are bricks made 
of? What are teacups, plates, and pipes made of? 
Where is clay found? Can men make clay ? 

What is this watch made of ? Who made it ? How 
do men get metals ? How do men get ores ? What are 
the names of the most common metals ? Is it easy to get 
ores ? Who made ores ? 



SECTION VI. 

THE CREATION. 

16. God made the earth. He made the 
hills, rocks, and mountains. He made stones 
and ores. He made earth, sand, and clay. 

God made the water. He caused it to flow 
from springs. The springs flow into brooks. 
The brooks run into ponds, rivers, and lakes 
The rivers run into the sea. The sea is very 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 17 

deep and very great. It covers three-fourths 
of the earth. God made it. 

17. God made the grass, and herbs, and 
flowers. He made corn and fruit. He made 
many kinds of plants and trees. He made 
them grow from the ground and bear seeds. 
The seeds fall to the ground. The old plants 
die, and new plants grow from the seeds. 

God made the sun, and the moon, and the 
stars. He made the air, and the wind. He 
commanded the water to rise in mists. The 
mists form clouds, and fall in rain, or snow, 
or hail. The sun and rain make plants grow. 
God sends the rain and sunshine to cause the 
grass to grow and the flowers to open. 

QUESTIONS. 

16. Who made the earth? What things do we find 
in the earth ? Who made the rocks and mountains ? 

What does water flow from ? What do springs flow 
into ? Where do rivers run ? How much of the earth 
does the sea cover? Who made water and the great 
sea? 

17. Who made plants and trees? How are plants 
multiplied ? 

Who made the sun, moon, and stars ? How are clouds 
formed ? What makes plants grow ? What makes the 
beautiful flowers open? What ripens the pleasant 
fruit ? Who sends rain and sunshine ? 

Scrip. Les. <£ 



18 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

18. God made insects, and reptiles, and 
fishes, and quadrupeds. He made some with 
wings to fly in the air. He made some with 
fins to swim in the water. He made some 
without legs, and some with little legs to 
crawl into holes. He made some with strong 
legs to run on the ground. He made some 
with claws to climb trees. He gave them 
food. He made most with eyes to see with. 
He made some without eyes to live under 
ground. 

God made the first man and the first wo- 
man. He made them upright. He gave them 
dominion over all animals, and over all the 
earth. 

QJJESTIONS. 

18. What animals fly in the air ? What animals crawl 
into holes ? What animals swim in the water ? What 
animals run on foot ? What animals climb trees ? What 
animals have no eyes ? Who made all these different 
kinds of animals ? 

To whom did God give dominion over the earth and 
over all animals ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 19 

SECTION VII. 

THE WORKS OF GOD ARE WONDERFUL. 

19. The eye and the ear are wonderfully 
made. The bodies of men and animals are 
wonderfully made. The earth, and the trees, 
and plants, and flowers, are wonderfully made. 
The most cunning man cannot make a little 
plant. The most skillful doctor cannot give 
life to a dead fly. 

The moon and stars are wonderfully made. 
The moon is large like many mountains. It 
does not fall from the sky. God upholds it. 
God causes it to move round the earth. It 
gives light by night. 

The sun is very great. It is very far off. 
It is very bright and glorious. It gives light 
to all the world. It warms the world. Plants 
cannot grow without the sun. Men and ani- 
mals cannot live without the sun. How won- 
derful and glorious are the works of God ! He 
is all- wise and almighty. 

All those things will be destroyed, but the 
soul of man is immortal. It is the most won- 
derful of the works of God. 



20 SCRIPTURE LESSONS 

QUESTIONS. 

19. Can the most cunning man make a plant ? Can 
the most skillful doctor give life to a dead fly ? 

How large is the moon ? Who upholds the moon and 
stars ? What gives light to the people of the world ? 

Can we live without the sun? Can plants grow 
without the sun and rain? 

What becomes of the bodies of men and animals? 
Will plants grow for ever ? Will there always be ani- 
mals on the earth ? Will the sun give light for ever ? 
Which of the works of God will last for ever ? 

Why is the soul the most wonderful of the works of 
God ? (Because it is immortal.) 



PART II 



HISTORY OF THE BIBLE. 



SECTION I 




ADAM AND EVE. 

Adam was the first man. He was alone. 
God caused Adam to sleep. God took one of 
his ribs and made Eve. Eve became Adam's 
wife. 

Adam and Eve lived in a pleasant garden. 
They were innocent. They did not suffer pain. 
They were never sick. They were very happy. 
God gave them all the fruit in the garden, ex- 
cept one tree. God forbade them to eat the 
fruit of one tree. 



22 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

The serpent tempted Eve. She ate the for- 
bidden fruit. She gave it to Adam, and he ate 
likewise. God saw them. He called them. 
They were ashamed, and hid among the trees. 
God drove them from the garden. God com- 
manded them to till the hard ground. 

All men are the children of Adam and Eve. 
They must suffer pain, and at last die, because 
Adam and Eve disobeyed God. 

God pitied Adam and Eve. He promised 
them a Saviour. Jesus Christ will save all 
penitent and believing sinners. 

The Creation was almost six thousand years 
ago. Adam lived nine hundred and thirty 
years. He died about five thousand years ago. 

aUESTIONS. 

Who was the first man? Who was the first woman? 
Of what did God make Eve? Where did Adam and 
Eve live? What did God forbid them to do? Who 
tempted Eve ? What did Eve do ? Who gave the for- 
bidden fruit to Adam ? How did God punish them ? 

If we disobey God, will he see and punish us ? 

Why must all men suffer pain, and at last die ? 

What did God promise Adam and Eve ? Who will 
save penitent and believing sinners ? 

How long ago was the Creation ? How long did Adam 
live ? When did Adam die ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 23 

SECTION II. 

CAIN AND ABEL. 

Adam and Eve had many children. Cain 
and Abel were the sons of Adam. Abel was 
a good man. He loved and worshipped God. 
Cain was a wicked man. He was envious 
and passionate. Cain hated his brother Abel, 
because Abel loved and obeyed God. Cain 
talked with his brother in the field, and became 
angry and killed Abel. This was the first mur- 
der. God saw Cain. He called him. Cain 
was afraid, but he could not hide from God. 
God punished him. Cain became a fugitive 
and a vagabond. 

"We must fear to be envious and angry. We 
may become like Cain. 

aUESTIONS. 

Who was the father of Cain and Abel? Who was 
their mother ? Had Adam and Eve any other children ? 

What was the character of Abel? What was the 
character of Cain? Why did Cain hate his brother? 
Why should we fear to be envious and angry ? 

Do you wish to be like Cain? Was Cain happy ? Is 
Abel happy ? 



24 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

SECTION III. 

THE FLOOD. 

Men grew and multiplied. The world was 
full of people. 

Men became very wicked. They oppressed 
and killed each other. They did not pray to 
God. They did not fear or love God. God 
was angry. God determined to destroy the 
wicked people. 

Noah was a good man. He loved and obeyed 
God. God commanded Noah to build an ark. 
The ark was like a very great ship. 

Noah built the ark. Noah and his wife, and 
three sons and their wives, entered the ark. 
God caused two of every kind of beasts and 
birds to enter the ark. God shut the door. 
The wicked people could not enter the ark. 

God caused it to rain forty days. All the 
hills and mountains were covered with w r ater. 
All the wicked people were destroyed. Only 
Noah and his family were saved. 

After six months the water began to abate. 
The ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. 
After nine months the mountains were seen. 
After ten months Noah opened the window 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 



25 



and sent forth a raven. The raven did not 
return. Then Noah sent forth a dove. The 
dove found no place to rest her foot. She re- 
turned to the ark. After seven days Noah 
sent the dove again. She returned with a 
green olive-leaf in her mouth. Then Noah 
knew the waters were abated. Noah and his 
family were a whole year in the ark. 

Noah and his family came -^j^a^ -^-~ % ,fg- 
out of the ark. The 
beasts and the birds camepjjll|| 
out of the ark. The j§ 
earth became green and jjHilll! 
pleasant 



again. 




26 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

Noah built an altar, and sacrificed lambs 
and other animals to God. God was pleased 
with Noah. God blessed Noah and his sons; 
and said to them, " Multiply and fill the earth." 
God gave them the animals for food. 

God promised not to destroy the world again 
by water. He appointed the rainbow as the 
token of this promise. 

At the last day the world will be destroyed 
by fire. 

The flood was about four thousand years 
ago. 

QUESTIONS. 

What did men do before the flood ? What was the 
character of the people before the flood ? What was 
the character of Noah ? What did God command Noah 
to do? 

What was the ark like ? How long did it rain ? How 
high did the water rise ? What did the dove bring in 
her mouth ? How long were Noah and his family in 
the ark? How many people were saved in the ark? 
How were the beasts and birds preserved ? 

What did Noah do when he came out of the ark? 
What did God say to Noah and his sons ? What did he 
give them for food ? 

Will the world be destroyed again by water ? What 
is the token of God's promise? How will the world 
be destroyed at the last day ? How long ago was the 
flood? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 
SECTION IV. 



27 




, .^y ^ 



ABRAHAM AND ISAAC. 

The three sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, 
and Japhet. They had many children; men 



28 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

multiplied, and the earth was again full of 
people. 

Men forgot the flood. They forgot God. 
They became very wicked. The strong men 
oppressed and killed the weak men. They 
worshipped idols. Some worshipped the sun, 
moon, and stars. Some worshipped beasts, 
birds, and insects. God was angry. He short- 
ened their lives. Before the flood, men lived 
about nine hundred years. Now, they live only 
eighty or ninety years. 

Abraham was a good man. He loved God 
and trusted in him. God called him to leave 
his brethren and friends. He obeyed God, and 
went to Canaan with his family. 

Sarah was the wife of Abraham. They were 
very old, and they had no children. God prom- 
ised them a son. Abraham believed God, but 
Sarah laughed. Afterwards Sarah had a son. 
They called him Isaac. His parents loved him 
exceedingly. 

God wished to try Abraham. He commanded 
Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obeyed. 
He went with Isaac to a mountain. He made 
Isaac carry wood. He laid the wood in a pile. 
He bound Isaac and laid him on the wood. He 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 29 

lifted the knife to kill Isaac. The angel of the 
Lord called from heaven. He told Abraham 
not to hurt Isaac. He blessed Abraham, be- 
cause he obeyed and trusted in God. Abraham 
looked, and saw a ram caught in a thicket by 
his horns. He sacrificed the ram instead of 
Isaac. 

QUESTIONS. 

Who were the sons of Noah ? What was the charac- 
ter of the people after the flood ? W T hat false gods did 
they worship ? How did God punish them ? How long 
did men live before the flood ? How long do men live 
now? 

What was the character of Abraham ? Who was the 
mother of Isaac ? Why did God command Abraham to 
sacrifice Isaac ? Where did Abraham go with Isaac ? 
What did Isaac carry ? Why did Abraham take wood 
and lay it in a pile? (Because sacrifices were burnt.) 
Did Abraham kill Isaac ? What prevented him ? Why 
did God bless Abraham? Should we obey God and 
trust in him like Abraham ? 



30 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

SECTION V. 

LOT. 

Lot was Abraham's nephew. He came to 
the land of Canaan with Abraham. He was 
a good man. He lived in Sodom, because the 
land was fertile. The people of Sodom were 
exceedingly wicked. God determined to de- 
stroy them all. 

God talked with Abraham concerning Sodom. 
God said he would spare Sodom, if there were 
ten righteous persons in it. But there was 
only one righteous person, Lot. Abraham 
pleaded for Lot. God sent two angels. They 
warned Lot to leave Sodom with his family. 
The wicked Sodomites heard that there were 
two men in Lot's house. They came round 
the house at night to seize them. But the 
angels made them blind, and they could not 
find the door. 

Lot went out at night, and warned his sons- 
in-law. They would not believe him. In the 
morning the two angels took the hands of Lot, 
and of his wife, and of his two unmarried 
daughters, and led them out of the city, and 
said to them, " Escape for your life ; look not 






SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 31 

behind you." But Lot's wife was unwilling 
to obey God. She wished to return to Sodom. 
She looked back, and became a pillar of salt. 

God sent fire and brimstone from heaven, 
and destroyed five cities of the Sodomites. 
Abraham rose early in the morning, and looked 
towards Sodom. He saw the smoke of the 
country go up as the smoke of a furnace. But 
God remembered Abraham, and saved Lot and 
his two daughters alive. 

QUESTIONS. 

What was the character of Lot? Who was Lot's 
uncle ? Where did Lot live ? Why did Lot choose to 
live in Sodom ? What was the character of the Sodom- 
ites? On what condition would God spare Sodom? 
Whom did God send to warn Lot ? How did the people 
of Sodom behave ? 

Why did not Lot's sons-in-law escape from Sodom ? 
Who led Lot and his family out of the city ? How did 
God punish the Sodomites ? Why did Lot's wife become 
a pillar of salt? What did Abraham see when he 
looked towards Sodom? 



32 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS, 



SECTION VI. 




REBEKAH. 



The people of Canaan were wicked. They 
worshipped false gods. They sometimes sac- 
rificed their children to idols. Abraham was 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 33 

grieved. He forbade Isaac to marry the daugh- 
ters of the idolaters. 

Now Abraham was very old. He had many 
servants and much cattle. His wife Sarah 
was dead. He wished to see Isaac married 
before he died. He did not wish to part with 
Isaac. He kept Isaac at home, and sent his 
chief servant Eliezer to fetch a wife for his son. 
Abraham had a nephew named Bethuel. This 
Bethuel lived in Mesopotamia, many days' 
journey from the land of Canaan. Eliezer 
took ten camels, and travelled many days. 
In the evening he stopped at a well near the 
city where Bethuel lived. He prayed to the 
Lord to favor Abraham and Isaac. While he 
stood at the well, God caused Rebekah to 
come there with her pitcher to draw water. 
Eliezer said to her, " Let me, I pray thee, drink 
a little water out of thy pitcher." Rebekah 
said, " Drink, and I will draw water for thy 
camels also." Eliezer asked whose daughter 
she was. She said she was Bethuel's daugh- 
ter. Then Eliezer gave thanks to God. He 
spoke to Bethuel and his son Laban. They 
said, " It is the Lord's will." Rebekah's 
mother wished her to stay a few days ; but 

Scrip. Les 3 



34 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

Eliezer said, Let me go to my master. Then 
they called Rebekah and asked her, and she 
said, " I will go." Eliezer gave silver, and 
gold, and raiment to Rebekah, and to her 
mother, and to her brother. Rebekah rode 
on a camel many days. Abraham's servants 
guarded her. At last they met Isaac walking 
in the field. Isaac led her into his mother 
Sarah's tent. He loved and married Rebekah, 
and was comforted for his mother's death. 
Isaac and Rebekah had two sons, twins, Esau 
and Jacob. 

QUESTIONS. 

What was the character of the people of Canaan? 
What horrid sacrifices did they offer to their idols ? 
Whom did Abraham forbid Isaac to marry ? 

Was Isaac's mother alive? What was Abraham's 
wish concerning Isaac ? Whom did he send to fetch a 
wife for Isaac ? Who was Bethuel, and where did he 
live ? Where did Eliezer stop in the evening ? Whom 
did God cause to come to the well ? What did Eliezer 
say to Rebekah ? What answer did she give ? What 
did Bethuel and Laban say? What was the wish of 
Rebekah' s mother ? Was Rebekah willing to go with 
Eliezer? How did she travel to Canaan ? Where did 
she meet Isaac ? For what was Isaac comforted ? What 
were the names of the sons of Isaac ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 35 

SECTION VII. 
JACOB. 

Esau was a cunning hunter, but Jacob was 
a plain man and took care of the flocks at 
home. Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat 
of Esau's venison, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 
Esau was a hairy man, but Jacob was a 
smooth man. 

Now Isaac was old, and his eyes became 
dim, so that he could not see. He wished to 
bless his son Esau before his death. "When 
the patriarchs blessed their sons, the blessing 
came from God. The blessing foretold that 
they should be happy and prosperous. 

Isaac sent Esau to take venison and prepare 
savory food. Rebekah heard him. She knew 
that he meant to give the blessing to Esau. 
She contrived to deceive Isaac. 

Rebekah called Jacob, and bade him bring 
two kids from the flock, and she prepared 
savory meat for Isaac. Also she took the skins 
of the kids, and put them on Jacob's hands, 
and on his neck. Jacob carried the savory 
meat to Isaac. Isaac felt his hands and his 
neck. He believed it was Esau. He ate and 
drank, and blessed Jacob. 



36 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 




Jacob went away; and just then Esau came 
in with his venison, and said to his father, 
" Arise, and eat of my venison, and bless me." 
And Isaac trembled exceedingly. Isaac said, 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 37 

" Jacob has deceived me, and I have blessed 
him, and given him his brethren for servants ; 
and how shall I bless thee ?" But Esau wept, 
and begged for a blessing. Then Isaac gave 
Esau a less blessing, and told him he should 
serve Jacob. 

Esau was angry, and threatened to kill Ja- 
cob ; but Rebekah and Isaac sent Jacob away. 
Isaac told Jacob that he must not take a wife 
from among the idolaters. So Jacob travelled 
to Padan-aram, to the house of Laban, his 
mother's brother. 

QUESTIONS. 

What was the business of Esau and Jacob ? Why did 
Isaac love Esau most ? Whom did Rebekah love ? 

When Isaac was old, what did he wish to do to Esau ? 
When the patriarchs blessed their sons, from whom did 
the blessing come ? What did the blessing foretell ? 

What did Isaac send Esau to do ? What did Rebekah 
think Isaac meant to do ? 

What did Rebekah tell Jacob to do ? What did she 
put on Jacob's hands and neck ? Who did Isaac believe 
brought the savory meat to him ? 

What happened afterward ? What did Isaac say to 
Esau? Did Isaac bless Esau ? 

What did Esau threaten to do to Jacob ? What did 
Isaac say Jacob must not do ? Where did Jacob go ? 



38 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

SECTION VIII. 

JACOB'S DREAM. 

Jacob slept one night in a field, and put 
stones for his pillows. He dreamed, and behold, 
a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it 
reached to heaven ; and behold, the angels of 
God ascending and descending on it. 

The Lord stood above it, and blessed Jacob, 
and said, " The land whereon thou liest I 
will give to thee and to thy children ; and thy 
descendant shall bless all the families of the 
earth." 

Jacob awaked, and said, " Surely the Lord 
is in this place, and I knew it not." And Jacob 
was afraid. 

Jacob set up the stones for a pillar, and 
poured oil on them ; and called the place 
Bethel, that is, the house of God. 

aUESTIONS. 

Where and how did Jacob sleep one night ? What 
did he see in his dream ? 

What did God promise Jacob ? 

What did Jacob say when he awoke ? 

What did he set up ? What does the word Bethel 
mean ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS, 
SECTION IX. 



39 




JACOB MEETS RACHEL AT THE WELL. 
After many days, Jacob came to a well near 
Haran, where Laban lived. There were three 



40 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

flocks of sheep, and there was a great stone 
on the mouth of the well. Jacob said to the 
shepherds, " Do you know Laban?" They 
said, " We know him." Jacob said, " Is he 
well?" They said, "He is well; and be- 
hold, Rachel, his daughter, comes with the 
sheep." 

Jacob ran and rolled the stone from the 
mouth of the well, and watered Rachel's sheep. 
And he kissed Rachel, and wept aloud. He 
told her that he was Rebekah's son, and she 
ran and told her father. Laban went to meet 
him, and embraced and kissed him ; and Jacob 
lived some years in Laban's house. 

Jacob loved Rachel, and wished to marry 
her ; but Laban said he must first marry her 
older sister, Leah. Therefore Jacob married 
them both, but he loved Rachel most. 

Jacob served Laban fourteen years for his 
two wives. He served Laban six years for 
part of his flocks. Jacob feared and served 
God, and God blessed Jacob. His flocks in- 
creased, and he became very rich. 

Laban and his sons envied Jacob because 
he was rich. Jacob left Laban, and returned 
to Canaan. Esau met Jacob, and they became 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 41 

friends again. Isaac died, and Esau and Ja- 
cob buried him. 

Jacob had great flocks and herds. He lived 
in tents, and travelled from place to place to 
find pasture for his flocks. He had twelve 
sons and one daughter. His elder sons took 
care of his flocks and herds. His two young- 
est sons, Joseph and Benjamin, were the sons 
of Rachel. Jacob loved them most. 

QUESTIONS. 

To what place did Jacob come ? What did he find at 
the well ? What did he say to the shepherds ? 

Whose sheep did Jacob water? What did he tell 
Rachel? Who went to meet Jacob ? 

Whom did Jacob marry ? 

How long did Jacob serve Lab an for his wives? How 
long for his flock ? Did God bless Jacob ? 

Why did Lab an and his sons envy Jacob ? Did Jacob 
leave Laban? Who met Jacob? Who buried Isaac? 

How did Jacob live ? Why did he travel from place 
to place ? How many children had Jacob ? What was 
the business of his sons ? Which of his sons did Jacob 
love most ? 



42 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 
SECTION X. 




JOSEPH. 

Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob. The 
other sons envied Joseph, and hated him, be- 
cause his father loved him most. They were 
feeding their flocks in the fields, far from home. 
Jacob sent Joseph to see if they were well. 
They seized him, and cast him into a pit. 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 43 

They meant to kill him, but Judah advised 
them to sell him. They saw a company of 
merchants going to Egypt. They sold Joseph 
to the merchants for twenty pieces of silver. 
They took Joseph's coat and dipped it in the 
blood of a kid. They carried the torn and 
bloody coat to their father. Jacob thought 
that some wild beast had killed Joseph. 

Joseph was carried to Egypt, many days' 
journey to the south of Canaan. He became 
a servant to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's 
guard. The Lord blessed Joseph, and all he 
did prospered. His master made him his chief 
servant. 

Joseph's mistress tempted him to sin, but 
he resisted and fled from her. She falsely ac- 
cused him, and he was cast into prison. But 
God preserved him. Grod gave him great wis- 
dom. He interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh, 
king of Egypt. He told Pharaoh that there 
would be seven years of plenty, and then seven 
years of famine. Pharaoh made Joseph gov- 
ernor of Egypt. 

Joseph built large barns. He gathered 
much corn for seven years. After seven years 
the famine began. There was no rain. The 



44 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

green corn and grass dried up. People came 
from far to buy corn of Joseph. There was 
no corn in Egypt, or in Canaan. Joseph only 
had corn. Pharaoh became exceedingly rich 
by selling corn. Joseph fed the poor who had 
no money. 

Joseph's brethren came to buy corn. They 
did not know him, but he knew them. He 
treated them roughly at first. He said that 
they were spies, and cast them into prison. 
He wished to try if they loved their father, 
and their young brother Benjamin. He told 
them to bring their brother Benjamin. 

The brethren returned home with corn. 
After some time the corn was all gone. They 
went back to Egypt with Benjamin. Jacob 
was unwilling to let Benjamin go ; but Joseph 
had said they should not return without him. 

Joseph told his steward to fill their sacks 
with corn, and to put his silver cup into Ben- 
jamin's sack. After the brethren were gone, 
Joseph's servants pursued them. They searched 
the sacks, and found the silver cup in Benja- 
min's sack. The brethren returned with Ben- 
jamin to Joseph. They wept, and begged 
Joseph not to take Benjamin from his father. 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 



45 



m 



. 



HI: . 







Joseph saw that they loved their father and 
Benjamin. He told them he was Joseph, and 
wept. They were afraid, but he forgave them 
and comforted them. He sent wagons to bring 
his father and all his family to Egypt. 

Jacob and his sons, and their wives and 
children, went to Egypt. The kings of Egypt 
treated them kindly while Joseph lived. Jo- 
seph heard that his father was sick. He took 
with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 
Jacob sat up in the bed. "When he saw Jo- 



46 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

seph's sons, he said, " Bring them to me, and I 
will bless them." When they came near, he 
laid his right hand upon the head of the 
younger son, Ephraim, and his left hand upon 
Manasseh's head. And Joseph held up his 
father's hand to remove it from Ephraim's 
head to Manasseh's head, saying, " This is the 
first-born." And Jacob said, " I know it. He 
shall be great, but his younger brother shall 
be greater than he." And he blessed them 
both, and " set Ephraim before Manasseh." 
Jacob died in Egypt. Before he died, he 
blessed all his sons, and foretold what would 
happen to their descendants. His sons carried 
his body to the land of Canaan, and buried 
him in the burial-place of Abraham and Isaac. 
His twelve sons had many children. They 
were the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel- 
ites. Jacob was one hundred and forty-seven 
years old when he died. Joseph was one hun- 
dred and ten. 

aUESTIOJNTS. 

How many sons had Jacob ? Why did Joseph's breth- 
ren hate him? What were they doing in the field? 
Why did Jacob send Joseph to them ? What did they 
do to him ? What great crime did they intend ? Who 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 47 

advised them not to kill him ? To whom did they sell 
Joseph, and for what price ? How did they contrive to 
deceive their father ? What did Jacob think ? 

Where was Joseph carried ? Which way is Egypt 
from Canaan? WTio was his master? How did he 
prosper in Egypt ? 

Who tempted Joseph ? Why was he cast into prison ? 
Should we resist temptation as Joseph did ? Who pre- 
served Joseph ? Whose dreams did he interpret ? What 
did he tell Pharaoh ? How did Joseph know this ? What 
office did Pharaoh give Joseph ? 

How many years were there of plenty ? How many 
of famine ? Why did the green corn and grass dry up ? 
To whom did people come to buy corn ? How did Pha- 
raoh become rich ? How did the poor get food ? 

Why did Joseph's brethren come to Egypt ? Did they 
know him ? How did he treat them at first ? What 
did he pretend they were ? Wiry did he treat them 
roughly ? Whom did he tell them to bring ? Was Ja- 
cob willing to let Benjamin go ? 

What did the brethren do when the silver cup was 
found in Benjamin's sack ? What did Joseph tell them ? 
Did he punish them ? Should we forgive those who in- 
jure us ? as Joseph did ? How did Jacob and his family 
go to Egypt ? 

What did Joseph do when he heard that Jacob was 
sick ? What did Jacob say ? How did he place his 
hands? Did Joseph try to remove his father's hand? 
Which of Joseph's sons did Jacob say should be the 
greatest ? What did Jacob foretell before he died ? 
Where did his sons bury him ? How many tribes were 
there of the Israelites ? How long did Jacob and Joseph 
live? 



48 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 

SECTION XI. 




MOSES. 

The Israelites multiplied greatly. The 
Egyptians became afraid of them, and op- 
pressed them. They had a new king, who did 
not know Joseph. He commanded his people 
to seize all the male children of the Israelites, 
and cast them into the river. 

The mother of Moses hid him three months. 
She feared the Egyptians would find him. 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 49 

She put him in a little ark of bulrushes, like 
a little boat. It was covered with pitch. She 
laid the ark among the flags by the brink of 
the river. The sister of Moses stood afar off 
to watch. The daughter of Pharaoh^ came to 
the river to wash herself. She found the child 
in the ark. She pitied him. She saved Moses, 
and brought him up in her house. Moses 
learned all the wisdom of the Egyptians. 

When Moses was grown, he left the king's 
palace. He visited his brethren. He saw an 
Egyptian oppress an Israelite. He killed the 
Egyptian. Pharaoh heard of it. He sent men 
to kill Moses. Moses fled to the wilderness. 
He came to Midian. He married the daughter 
of Jethro, and kept his father-in-law^ s flock. 

God appeared to Moses in a burning bush. 
He sent Moses to reprove Pharaoh. God com- 
manded Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Pha- 
raoh refused. He made the Israelites work 
harder. God sent ten dreadful plagues on Pha- 
raoh and the Egyptians. 

At last Pharaoh let the Israelites go ; but the 
next day he was sorry, and pursued them with 

* All the kings of Egypt, for several hundred years, 
were called Pharaoh. 

Scrip. Less. 4 



50 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

all his army. The Israelites came to the Red 
Sea. They saw the Egyptians pursuing them. 
They were afraid, and cried to God. God di- 
vided the sea. The waters stood up on each 
side like a wall. The Israelites passed through 
the sea on dry ground. Pharaoh and his army 
followed them into the sea. The waters flowed 
back, and drowned all the Egyptians. The 
Israelites saw them dead on the shore. They 
sang a song. They gave thanks and praised 
the Lord. 

QUESTIONS. 

Why were the Egyptians afraid of the Israelites? 
What did they do to the male children of the Israelites ? 

Why did Moses' mother hide him? Who saved 
Moses ? Where was Moses "brought up ? What did 
Moses learn ? 

What did Moses do when he was grown up ? What 
did Pharaoh do when he heard it ? 

How did God appear to Moses ? What message did 
God send to Pharaoh ? What did Pharaoh do to the Is- 
raelites ? Why did he make them work harder? (Be- 
cause he was angry with Moses.) How did God punish 
Pharaoh ? 

What did Pharaoh do the day after the Israelites left 
Egypt ? Where did he overtake them ? To whom did 
the Israelites cry for help ? How did the Israelites pass 
the Red Sea ? What became of Pharaoh's army ? What 
did the Israelites do when thev saw their enemies dead ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 51 

SECTION XII. 




THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

Moses led the children of Israel^ to Mount 
Sinai. God appeared on the mount in a cloud 
and in fire. The mountain smoked and shook. 
God spoke to the people in thunder and light- 
ning. God called Moses to come up into the 
mount. God wrote the ten commandments in 
two tables of stone.f 

I. The first commandment forbids us to 
worship false gods. 

* The descendants of Israel, including men, women, 
and children. 

t These tables were not like our tables , on which we 
put our dishes, books, etc., but, as shown in the cut, 
nearly like tombstones. 



52 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

II. The second commandment forbids us to 
worship idols, pictures, or images. 

III. The third commandment forbids us to 
swear. 

IV. The fourth commandment commands us 
to keep holy the Sabbath. 

V. The fifth commandment commands us 
to honor our parents. 

VI. The sixth commandment forbids us to 
kill. 

VII. The seventh commandment forbids us 
to commit adultery. 

VIII. The eighth commandment forbids us 
to steal. 

IX. The ninth commandment forbids us to 
speak falsely. 

X. The tenth commandment forbids us to 
covet. 

questions. 

Where did God give Moses the ten commandments ? 
On what did God write them ? How did God appear 
on Mount Sinai ? 

What is forbidden by the first commandment? By 
the second ? By the third ? What is commanded by 
the fourth commandment ? By the fifth ? What is for- 
bidden by the sixth ? By the seventh ? By the eighth ? 
By the ninth ? By the tenth ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 53 

SECTION XIII. 

JOSHUA. 

The Israelites were often disobedient. "While 
Moses was in Mount Sinai, the people made a 
golden calf and worshipped it. God was angry 
with them, and destroyed many of them. They 
wandered in the wilderness forty years. God 
went before therti by day, in a pillar of cloud, 
and by night in a pillar of fire. God sent them 
manna from heaven, for food. "When they had 
no water, God commanded Moses to smite the 
rock, and water gushed forth abundantly. 

After Moses was dead, the Lord appointed 
Joshua to lead the Israelites. Joshua conquered 
many kings, and destroyed their armies. In a 
battle with the Amorites, Joshua commanded 
the sun to stand still, and it obeyed him. The 
people of Canaan were very wicked, and wor- 
shipped idols. God took away their country, 
and gave it to the Israelites. Joshua divided 
the land among the twelve tribes of the Isra- 
elites. 

QUESTIONS. 

Why did God destroy many of the Israelites ? How 
long did they wander in the wilderness ? How did they 
get food ? How did they get water ? 



54 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

Who led the Israelites after Moses was dead ? What 
did Joshua do ? What command did Joshua give the 
sun? What was the character of the people of Ca- 
naan ? How did God punish them ? Among whom did 
Joshua divide the land ? Who first promised the land 
of Canaan to Abraham and Jacob, and to their chil- 
dren? (See Section VIII.) 



SECTION Xlf . 

THE JUDGES. 



While the Israelites obeyed and worshipped 
God, and kept his commandments, they lived 
in peace. But often they forgot God, worship- 
ped idols, and oppressed and injured each other ; 
God was angry, and permitted the heathen to 
oppress them. "When they repented, and cried 
to God, he sent judges to deliver them. Gideon 
and Jephthah were two of these judges. 

Samson was another of the judges. He 
was the strongest of men. God gave him his 
strength to deliver the Israelites from the Phi- 
listines. He killed a thousand Philistines in 
one day with the jaw-bone of an ass. He rent 
a lion in pieces. 

One day Samson went to Gaza, and slept 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 



55 




there. The Philistines shut the gates. They 
intended to seize him in the morning. He 
rose at midnight, and took the heavy gates 
and carried them on his shoulders to the top of 
a hill. 

Samson foolishly married a wicked Philistine 
woman, named Delilah. The lords of the Phi- 
listines offered her much money to betray her 
husband. She teased Samson till he told her 
that God gave him strength as long as he did 



56 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

not cut off his hair. She made Samson sleep 
on her knees, and then she cut off his hair. 
Samson lost Lis great strength. The Philis- 
tines took him, and put out his eyes. They 
made him grind in the prison. 

One day they made a great feast , and prais- 
ed their false gods. They sent for Samson to 
make sport. Samson's hair had grown again. 
He prayed to God to give him strength. He 
laid hold on the two main pillars of the house 
and pulled the house down. Some thousand 
Philistines were crushed to death. Samson 
died with the Philistines. 

QUESTIONS. 

How long did the Israelites live in peace ? Why did 
God permit the heathen to oppress them ? Tell me the 
names of two of the judges? 

Who gave Samson strength ? Why did God give Sam- 
son his great strength ? What did Samson do with the 
jaw-bone of an ass ? What wild beast did he rend in 
pieces ? 

What did Samson do with the gates of Gaza ? 

How long did Samson possess his great strength ? 
Who betrayed him ? How did he lose his strength ? 
What did the Philistines do to him ? 

Why did the Philistines send for Samson ? What did 
Samson do when he came to make sport ? How did 
Samson die ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 
SECTION XV. 



57 




RUTH, SAMUEL, AND SAUL. 

Ruth was a poor young woman. Her fa- 
ther's family were idolaters. Her husband was 
an Israelite. He died when she was young. 
She left her relations, and went to help her 
mother-in-law. She went to glean barley and 
wheat in the fields of Boaz. Boaz was a rich 
man, and a relation of her husband. He saw 
Ruth. He heard that she had left her relations 
to help her mother-in-law. He loved her, and 
married her. They had a son who was the 
grandfather of king David. 

Samuel was a very good man. His mother 



58 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

gave him to the Lord when he was a little 
child. Eli was the high-priest. His two sons 
were very wicked. One night, when Samuel 
was laid down to sleep, the Lord called him. 
He told Samuel he would punish Eli's family. 
In the morning Samuel told Eli the vision. 
Some time afterward the Philistines defeated 
the Israelites in a battle, and killed the two 
sons of Eli. Samuel was a prophet, and the 
judge of Israel all his life. 

When Samuel was old, the Israelites desired 
a king. God told Samuel to anoint Saul to be 
the first king of Israel. Saul was a good king 
at first. His son Jonathan defeated the Phi- 
listines, and delivered the Israelites. After- 
wards Saul disobeyed God, and the Philistines 
defeated him, and killed him and his son Jona- 
than in a great battle. 

QUESTIONS. 

Who was Ruth ? Why did she leave her relations ? 
What did she go to glean ? Who married her ? Who 
was their great-grandson ? 

What was the character of Samuel ? Who was Eli ? 
What was the character of his sons? How did God 
punish them? 

Who was the first king of Israel ? What was the 
character of Saul ? How did Saul and Jonathan die ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 
SECTION XVI. 



59 




DAVID. 

David was a shepherd. God chose him to 
be king in the place of Saul. When he was a 
very young man, he killed a Philistine giant 
named Goliath, who was about ten feet high. 
All the Israelites were afraid, and fled from 
Goliath; but David, trusting God, went to 
meet him with a stone and a sling. He struck 



60 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

Goliath on the forehead with a stone, and the 
giant fell to the ground. Then David cut off 
his head with his own sword. 

Saul envied David, and sought to kill him. 
Jonathan, Saul's son, loved David, and told 
him to flee. David fled from Saul to the wil- 
derness. 

After Saul was dead, David became king. He 
defeated the enemies of Israel on every side. 
God loved David, and helped him. 

David was a good and pious man, but he 
committed one great sin. God punished him 
severely. Afterwards he repented, and God 
forgave him. 

David was a poet, and wrote many beautiful 
psalms. 

aUESTIONS. 

Who was David ? How did he kill Goliath ? How 
tall was Goliath ? 

Why did Saul seek to kill David? Who told David 
to flee from Saul ? 

When did David become king ? What did he do ? 

What was the character of David ? Did he commit 
any sins ? Did God punish him ? Did David repent ? 

If you sin like David, and do not repent, will God 
forgive you? 

What did David write ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 61 

SECTION" XVII. 

ABSALOM. 

Absalom was one of David's sons. He was 
a very beautiful, but wicked young man. He 
stole the hearts of many of the Israelites, and 
rebelled against his father. David fled from 
Absalom. Absalom pursued him with a great 
army. David's old soldiers were faithful to 
him. They fought, and defeated Absalom's 
army. Absalom rode under an oak-tree. His 
long hair caught fast in the tree. His mule 
went from him, and left him hanging in the 
tree by his hair. Joab, the captain of David's 
army, saw him. He took three darts, and 
thrust them through the heart of Absalom, and 
killed him. David wept for Absalom. 

aUESTIONS. 

Who was Absalom ? What was his character ? What 
did he do ? Who were faithful to David ? Did Absa- 
lom's army conquer David ? How did Absalom lose his 
life ? Who killed him ? Does God permit wicked men 
to prosper ? 



62 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

SECTION XVIII. 

SOLOMON. 

When David was dead, his son Solomon be- 
came king. Solomon was the wisest of men. 
He had great riches. He lived in peace. All 
the kings and nations around respected and 
honored him. 

Solomon built a magnificent temple to the 
Lord in Jerusalem. 

When Solomon was old, he took many wives 
from the idolaters. He suffered his wives to 
build altars to strange gods. God was angry 
with Solomon, and took away part of the king- 
dom from his son. The descendants of David 
and Solomon reigned over the Jews in Jeru- 
salem. They were the two tribes of Judah 
and Benjamin. Other kings reigned over Israel 
in Samaria. 

QUESTIONS. 

Who succeeded David ? What was the character of 
Solomon ? Who respected and honored Solomon ? 

What did Solomon do when he grew old ? Why was 
God angry with Solomon ? Where did the descendants 
of Solomon live ? Over what tribes did they reign ? 
Where did the kings of Israel live ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 
SECTION XIX. 



63 




AHAB. 

Ahab was one of the kings of Israel. He 
was a very wicked man. His wife Jezebel 
was a very wicked woman. She was an idol- 
ater, and caused the Israelites to forsake God 
and worship idols. She killed many prophets 
of the Lord. Obadiah, a good man, was the 
governor of Ahab's house. He hid a hundred 
prophets in a cave, and fed them with bread 
and water. Jezebel threatened to kill the 
prophet Elijah, but he escaped from her and 
travelled forty days into the wilderness. 



64 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

Ahab coveted the vineyard of a poor man 
named Naboth. Naboth refused to sell his 
father's land. Ahab was much displeased. His 
wife Jezebel procured men who falsely accused 
Naboth of blasphemy. Naboth was stoned to 
death. Then Ahab went to take possession of 
the vineyard. Grod sent the prophet Elijah to 
reprove him. Elijah told Ahab that dogs should 
lick his blood; also the Lord said that dogs 
should eat Jezebel. 

Afterward Ahab was killed in battle, and 
dogs licked his blood. Jezebel was thrown 
from a window, and the dogs devoured her. 
Remember, that God will surely pumish the 
wicked. 

QUESTIONS. 

Who was Ahab ? What was his character ? Who 
was Jezebel? What was her character? What did 
she do to the prophets of the Lord ? Who was Obadiah ? 
How did he save the prophets ? Whom did Jezebel 
threaten to kill ? How did Elijah escape ? 

Whose vineyard did Ahab covet ? Why did Naboth 
refuse to sell ? (Because it was his father's land.) How 
did Jezebel cause Naboth to be stoned to death ? Whom 
did God send to reprove Ahab ? 

What was the end of Ahab and Jezebel ? Will God 
punish the wicked ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 
SECTION XX. 



65 




ELIJAH AND ELISHA. 

In the days of Ahab and Elijah, there was 
no rain in Israel for three years. There was 
a great famine. God told Elijah to hide him- 
self by the brook Cherith. God sent ravens to 
feed him. The ravens brought him bread and 
meat in the morning and evening, and he drank 
the water of the brook. At last the brook dried 
up. God sent Elijah to live with a poor wid- 

Scrip Les. 5 



66 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

ow. She had only a little meal and oil, but 
Grod caused her meal and oil to last as long as 
Elijah lived with her. 

After many days, the son of the widow was 
sick, and died. Elijah prayed to the Lord, and 
the child lived again. 

Elijah did not die as other men. God sent 
horses and a chariot of fire, and took him up 
to heaven. 

Elisha was the friend and disciple of Elijah. 
He saw Elijah ascend to heaven in a chariot 
of fire. He became a prophet in his place. 

One day a company of wicked children 
mocked Elisha. God sent two bears, which 
destroyed forty-two of them. 

QUESTIONS. 

When was there no rain in Israel, and for how many- 
years? What did God tell Elijah to do? How did 
Elijah get food when he hid himself by the brook ? 
With whom did Elijah live, after the brook dried up ? 
How did the widow procure food ? 

What happened to the son of the widow ? 

Did Elijah die like other men ? How did he ascend to 
heaven? 

Who was Elisha ? 

What happened to the wicked children who mocked 
Elisha ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 

SECTION XXI. 



67 




DANIEL. 

The Jews often forgot the true God. They 
did wickedly and worshipped idols. God pun- 
ished them again and again. He often sent 
prophets to reprove and warn them, but still 
they did wickedly. At last God sent the king 
of Babylon, who carried all the chief men of 
the Jews to Babylon. They were captives at 
Babylon seventy years. 

Daniel was one of the Jews who were carried 



68 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

to Babylon. He was a very wise and prudent 
man, and also very pious. 

One night the king of Babylon made a great 
feast to a thousand lords. While they were 
merry with wine, and were praising their idols, 
they saw a hand that came and wrote on the 
wall. They were afraid, and the king's knees 
shook and struck together. He called his wise 
men, but they could not read nor interpret the 
writing. Then they called Daniel. Daniel 
read and explained the writing. Hte reproved 
the king for his pride and idolatry. He told 
him that Grod had taken away his kingdom, 
and given it to the Medes and Persians. 

In the same night Darius, king of the Medes, 
and Cyrus, king of the Persians, with their 
armies, entered Babylon, and killed the king of 
Babylon ; and Darius became king. 

Darius loved Daniel, and set him over all his 
princes. The other princes hated Daniel, and 
conspired to destroy him. They persuaded 
Darius to make a wicked decree, that no one 
should pray to any god but Darius, for thirty 
days. They watched Daniel, and found him 
praying to the God of Israel. They told the 
king. Darius was very sorry, but because he 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 69 

had said so, he permitted them to throw Daniel 
into the den of lions. They shut the door of 
the den with a great stone, and sealed it. The 
king went home, and could not sleep all night. 
The next morning early 3 the king went in 
haste to the den of lions, and called Daniel; 
and Daniel said, "My God has sent his angel, 
and has shut the lions' mouths." Then the 
king was exceeding glad, and commanded his 
servants to take Daniel out of the den. Then 
he commanded them to seize the wicked men 
who conspired to destroy Daniel, and cast them 
into the den ; and immediately the lions broke 
their bones in pieces. 

aUESTIONS. 

What was the character of the Jews ? How did God 
finally punish them? 

Who was Daniel ? What was his character ? 

What strange thing happened at the king of Baby- 
lon's feast ? How did Daniel interpret the writing ? 

What became of the king of Babylon ? 

Who conspired to destroy Daniel ? What decree did 
they persuade Darius to make ? Did Daniel obey the 
wicked decree ? What was done to Daniel ? How did 
the king pass the night ? 

What did Daniel say in the morning? What was 
done with Daniel's enemies ? 



70 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 
SECTION XXII 




ESTHER. 

After Cyrus, there was a mighty king of 
Persia named Ahasuerus. He reigned from 
India to Ethiopia, over a hundred and twenty- 
seven provinces. H,e put away his queen 
Vashti, because she refused to come out and 
show herself to his princes and great men 
when he sent for her. He married instead a 
wise and beautiful, but poor Jewish maiden, 
named Esther. 

Haman was the favorite of Ahasuerus. He 
was proud, envious, and revengeful. When 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 71 

he entered the king's palace, all the king's 
servants bowed and reverenced Haman ; only 
Mordecai, a Jew, refused to reverence him. 
Haman hated Mordecai exceedingly. He did 
not know that Mordecai was Esther's kins- 
man, who brought her up. He conspired to 
destroy both Mordecai and all the Jews. He 
deceived Ahasuerus, and persuaded him to 
make a decree, that on a certain day, all the 
Jews, men, women, and children, should be 
slain, and their goods taken for a prey. The 
day was near, and there was great mourning 
among the Jews. 

Mordecai sent to Esther, to charge her that 
she should go in unto the king, and speak for 
the Jews. Esther replied that the law was, 
that if any man or woman should go in unto 
the king in the inner court, without being 
called, that person should die, unless the king 
held out the golden sceptre. And Esther said, 
" The king has not called me. But let all the 
Jews fast for me three days ; and I also and 
my maidens will fast. And I will go in unto 
the king, and risk my life to save you." On 
the third day Esther put on her royal apparel ', 
and stood before the king. And when the king 



72 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

saw her, his heart was moved towards her. 
He held out the golden sceptre towards her, 
and promised to grant her request. Esther 
told him of the deceit and wickedness of Ha- 
man. The king was angry. He caused Ha- 
man to be hanged on his own gallows, fifty 
cubits high, which he had made for Mordecai. 
And the king gave the house of Ham an to 
Esther, and he made Mordecai his chief officer. 
The mourning of the Jews was turned to re- 
joicing. 

QUESTIONS. 

Who was Ahasuerus ? Over how many provinces did 
he reign ? Why did he put away his queen ? Whom 
did he marry instead ? 

Who was the favorite of Ahasuerus ? What was the 
character of Haman? Why did he hate Mordecai? 
Who was Mordecai? Did Haman know he was the 
queen's kinsman? How did Haman contrive to be re- 
venged on Mordecai ? What decree did he persuade the 
king to make ? 

What message did Mordecai send to Esther ? What 
reply did she make ? Was it dangerous for Esther to 
go to the king without being called? What did she 
desire the Jews to do for her? Did Ahasuerus show 
favor to Esther ? What did Esther tell the king ? How 
did he punish Haman ? Was Haman justly punished? 
What did the king do for Mordecai ? Did the Jews re- 
joice ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 
SECTION XXIII. 



73 




JONAH. 

Jonah was a prophet, who lived in Israel be- 
fore the Jews were carried to Babylon. God 
commanded him to go to the great city of Nin- 
eveh, and preach to the people. Jonah diso- 
beyed God. He fled from God, and entered a 



74 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

ship, and sailed for Tarshish. God caused a 
great tempest. The sailors were afraid, and 
called Jonah from the cabin, and bade him 
pray to God. Jonah confessed to them that 
the tempest arose because God was angry with 
him. He told them to throw him into the sea. 
They threw Jonah into the sea, and the tem- 
pest ceased. 

God had prepared a great fish to swallow 
Jonah, and he was in the belly of the fish 
three days and three nights. God kept him 
alive. 

Jonah repented, and prayed to God. God 
caused the fish to throw Jonah out on dry 
land. Jonah went to Nineveh, and preached 
to the people. They repented, and God for- 
gave them. 

QUESTIONS. 

Who was Jonah? Where did he live? What did 
God command Jonah to do? Where did Jonah go to 
escape God? How did God punish him? What did 
Jonah advise the sailors to do ? Did the tempest cease 
when Jonah was out of the ship ? 

What became of Jonah ? How could he live in the 
belly of the fish ? 

How did he escape ? Did he obey God afterward ? 
Did the people of Nineveh repent ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 

SECTION XXIV 



75 




THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST. 

After the Jews returned from Babylon, they 
were conquered by the Romans. A wicked 
Jew, named Herod, was king of part of the 



76 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

Jews under the Romans, but the Romans ap- 
pointed governors, and sent soldiers to keep 
the country. 

Four thousand years after the Creation, two 
thousand years after Abraham, and one thou- 
sand years after Solomon, Jesus Christ was 
born. He was the Saviour whom God prom- 
ised to Adam and Eve. He was descended 
from Abraham and from David. God prom- 
ised Abraham and Jacob that their descendant 
should bless all the nations of the earth. The 
prophets often prophesied concerning Jesus. 
They foretold that he should be born at Beth- 
lehem, a town in Judea, about six miles from 
Jerusalem. 

God sent the angel Gabriel to tell the virgin 
Mary that she should be the mother of Jesus. 
Jesus was the Son of God. No man was his 
father, but Joseph the carpenter was supposed 
to be his father, because he married Mary. 
Joseph and Mary were both descended from 
king David. 

Joseph and Mary were both obliged to go to 
Bethlehem. Because the inn was fall, they 
passed the night in a stable. Jesus was born 
in the stable, and they laid him in a manger. 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 77 

The same night shepherds who were watch- 
ing their flocks, saw a great light, and heard a 
multitude of angels singing, and giving glory 
to God because the Saviour was born. The 
angels sent the shepherds to Bethlehem, where 
they found the child Jesus lying in the manger, 
and worshipped him. 

QUESTIONS. 

What nation conquered the Jews after they returned 
from Babylon ? Who was king of part of JudeaJ* 

How many years were there from the Creation to the 
birth of Christ ? How long ago was the birth of Christ ? 

From whom was Christ descended ? Who was Christ's 
father? Who was supposed to be his father? Who 
was his mother ? 

Where was Jesus born ? 

What did the shepherds see that night ? What glad 
news did they hear ? Where did they find Jesus ? 



78 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 

SECTION XXV. 




THE WISE MEN, AND THE MASSACRE OF 
THE CHILDREN. 

At the time of the birth of Christ, certain 
wise men in the East saw a bright star. God 
revealed to them that Christ was born. They 
followed the star, and came to Jerusalem. 
They told king Herod. They still followed 
the star, and found the child Jesus, and wor- 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 79 

shipped him, and brought gifts of gold and 
spices. Then they returned to their own 
country. God commanded them not to tell 
Herod where the child was. 

The wicked king Herod was afraid that 
Jesus would be king. He sought to kill the 
child. He sent his soldiers to kill all the chil- 
dren in Bethlehem, and near it. He thought 
that Jesus could not escape. But God warned 
Joseph in a dream, and he arose by night, and 
put Mary and the child on an ass, and escaped 
to Egypt, and staid there till Herod was dead. 
Then God told them to return. They came 
and dwelt at Nazareth. 

Jesus was obedient to his parents. He in- 
creased in stature and wisdom, and the grace 
of God was on him. 

QUESTIONS. 

What did the wise men of the East see at the birth of 
Christ ? How did they know that the star was a token 
of Christ's coming ? How did they find the child Jesus ? 
What did they do when they found the child ? 

Why did Herod send his soldiers to kill the children 
of Bethlehem ? How did Jesus escape from the mas- 
sacre ? Where did the parents of Jesus flee ? Where 
did they live after they returned from Egypt ? 

What is said of the infancy and youth of Jesus ? 



80 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

SECTION XXVI. 

BAPTISM, PREACHING, AND MIRACLES OF 
CHRIST. 

When Jesus was about thirty years old, 
John the Baptist came preaching in the wil- 
derness, and saying, " Repent, for the kingdom 
of heaven is at hand." Many people repented 
and confessed their sins, and were baptized by 
John. 

Jesus also was baptized ; and the heavens 
opened, and the Spirit of God descended like 
a dove, and rested on him ; and there came a 
voice from heaven, saying, " This is my beloved 
Son." 

Jesus, after he was baptized, was forty days 
in the wilderness. The devil came and tempted 
him, and Jesus resisted the temptation, and 
the devil left him. 

Christ chose twelve apostles, and sent them 
to preach the Gospel, and gave them power to 
work miracles. He had also many other dis- 
ciples that followed him, and believed in him. 

The Saviour was very kind to little children. 
One day when young children were brought 
to him, he took them up in his arms, and 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS 



81 




blessed them, and said, u Of such is the king- 
dom of God." 

During three or four years, Christ travelled 
from place to place. He preached the Gospel 
to the people, he reproved sinners, he promised 
eternal life to those who would repent, he 
healed many sick persons, he cast out evil 
spirits. At his word the blind saw, the deaf 
heard, the dumb spoke, the lame walked, and 
the dead lived again. He walked on the sea, 
he stilled the tempest, and he twice fed many 
thousand persons with a few loaves and fishes. 
He worked these miracles to prove that he was 
sent from God. Many persons believed in him 
ind loved him, and obeyed his precepts ; but 
the scribes and Pharisees hated him, and con- 

Scrip. Les. 6 



82 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

spired to kill him, because they were hypo- 
crites, and Christ detected them, and reproved 
them. 

Our Lord, in his last journey to Jerusalem, 
came to the Mount of Olives. He sent two 
disciples to Bethphage, to bring to him an ass 
with her colt. Jesus rode on the colt. Many 
people strewed their garments and branches 
of trees in the way. He went into the temple, 
and drove out the buyers and sellers. He 
cured many diseased persons. The children 
cried in the temple, and said, "Hosanna to the 
Son of David." 

QUESTIONS. 

Who baptized Christ? How old was he when he 
was baptized ? What happened when Christ was bap- 
tized ? 

How long was Jesus in the wilderness ? Who tempted 
him? 

How many apostles did Christ choose ? What power 
did he give them ? 

What did Jesus do to young children ? 

What did Christ do during three or four years ? What 
miracles did Christ perform ? Why did he perform mir- 
acles ? Who hated Christ, and why ? 

Why did Jesus send two disciples to Bethphage? 
What happened on the way ? What did he do in the 
temple ? What did the children say ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 83 

SECTION XXVII. 




JUDAS BETRAYS CHRIST. 

Christ knew that he must die on the cross 
for the sins of men. He often spoke to his 
disciples of his death. He told them that he 
must die to save them. 

The evening before his death, after he had eat- 
en the last supper with his disciples, he retired 
to the garden of Grethsemane to pray. There he 
suffered great agony, and sweat drops of blood. 

Judas, one of the twelve apostles, went to 
the chief-priests and Pharisees, and offered to 
betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He 
knew that Jesus went often to the garden to 
pray. He led a company of soldiers to the 
garden. He told them to seize the man he 
should kiss. It was the custom, in those times , 
for friends to kiss each other when they met. 



84 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

Judas went up to Jesus, and said, " Hail, 
Master !" and kissed him. Then the soldiers 
seized Jesus, and bound him. 

Christ could have commanded legions of 
angels to come to assist him, but he suffered 
the soldiers to seize and bind him, because he 
came into the world to die for the sins of men. 

The multitude led Jesus to the palace of the 
high-priest. They crowned him with thorns, 
mocked him, spit upon him, and buffeted him. 
They then led him to Pilate, the Roman gov- 
ernor. Pilate inquired what he had done, and 
found he had committed no crime. He de- 
clared Jesus innocent, and wished to release 
him. But the Jews clamored for his death ; 
and Pilate, to please them, ordered him to be 
crucified. 

QUESTIONS. 

Did Christ know that he must die ? Why did Christ 
come into the world ? 

When and where did Christ suffer great agony ? 

Who betrayed Christ ? By what token did he betray 
him? 

Why did not Christ summon angels to assist him ? 

How did the multitude treat Christ ? What did 
Pilate say of Christ? Why did Pilate order him to be 
crucified ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 
SECTION XXVIII. 



85 




THE CRUCIFIXION. 

"When Judas saw that Christ was condemned 
to die, he was sorry, and went and hanged 
himself in despair. 



86 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

The Jews led Jesus to a place called Cal- 
vary, where they nailed him to the cross be- 
tween two thieves. 

Many of the Jews reviled him, and said, "If 
thou be the Son of God, come down from the 
cross." One of the two thieves also reviled 
him ; but the other thief reproved his fellow, 
and said to Christ, "Lord, remember me when 
thou comest to thy kingdom." Jesus answered 
him, " To-day thou shalt be with me in para- 
dise." 

The crucifixion of Christ was on Friday, in 
the fore part of April. Christ was nailed to 
the cross at nine o'clock in the morning, and 
he hung there in agony about six hours. From 
noon to three o'clock, the sun was hidden, and 
there was a great darkness. Christ prayed to 
God to forgive his enemies. He saw his 
mother weeping at the foot of the cross, .and 
he charged John, his beloved disciple, to take 
care of her, and be a son to her. When he 
died the vail of the temple was rent, the earth 
quaked, the graves opened, and many holy 
persons rose from the dead. 

Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, who was 
one of Christ's disciples, went to Pilate, and 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 87 

begged the body of Jesus. Mcodemus, a ruler 
of the Jews, went with him, for the apostles 
were afraid, and had fled. ' Joseph and Mco- 
demus buried Jesus in a new tomb hewn in a 
rock. This tomb was in a garden. The chief- 
priests remembered that Jesus had said he 
would rise from the dead on the third day. 
They set a guard of soldiers round the tomb. 
They rolled a great stone to the door of the 
tomb, and sealed it. The body of Jesus lay in 
the tomb from Friday evening till Sunday 
morning. 

aUESTIONS. 

What became of Judas, who betrayed Christ ? 

Where was Jesus crucified, and between whom ? 

What did the Jews say to Jesus while he hung on the 
cross ? What did one of the thieves on the cross say to 
Jesus ? What did Jesus answer ? 

On what day was the crucifixion? At what hour 
was Christ nailed to the cross ? How long did he hang 
on the cross ? What happened while Jesus was on the 
cross ? What prayer did Christ make for his enemies ? 
What charge did he give his beloved disciple John ? 
What happened when Christ died ? 

Who buried Jesus ? Why did not the apostles assist 
them? How did the chief-priests secure the door of 
the tomb ? Why did they take care to secure the door 
of the tomb ? How long did the body of Christ lie in 
the tomb ? 



88 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 
SECTION XXIX. 




THE RESURRECTION. 

On the third day after he was crucified, 
which was the first day of the week, and is 
now the Christian Sabbath, Christ rose from 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 89 

the dead. An angel descended, and rolled the 
great stone from the door of the tomb. The 
guard became like dead men for fear. They 
fled to the city. 

Three pious women, who loved Christ, came 
early in the morning with spices to anoint his 
body. They found him risen from the dead. 
They ran and told the apostles. Afterward 
Jesus appeared several times to his disciples. 
He ate, drank, and conversed with them. He 
showed them the holes in his hands and feet. 
He remained on earth, after his resurrection, 
forty days. He commanded his disciples to 
go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to 
every creature. He called together his disci- 
ples, and led them to a mountain, and blessed 
them, and ascended up to heaven. 

QUESTIONS. 

On what day did Jesus rise from the dead? Who 
rolled away the stone ? What did the guard do ? 

Who came early in the morning to the tomb, and why ? 
What did the women do when they found Jesus risen ? 
How did Christ prove that he was risen from the dead ? 
What commandment did he give to his disciples ? How 
long did Jesus continue on earth after his resurrection ? 
What did he do at the end of the forty days ? 



90 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

SECTION XXX. 

THE APOSTLES AND FIRST MARTYRS. 

After Christ had ascended to heaven, the 
apostles and disciples preached the Gospel in 
many cities and countries, and performed many 
miracles. Many people believed, and were bap- 
tized. But the Jews hated the Christians, and 
persecuted them. One of the disciples, a very 
good man, named Stephen, was stoned to death 
by the Jews. He died praying for his enemies. 

Saul, afterward called Paul, was one of the 
murderers of Stephen. He fiercely persecuted 
the Christians. One day Christ called to him 
from heaven ; there was a very bright light, 
and Paul was struck blind. Christ called him 
to preach the Grospel. Paul obeyed, his sight 
was restored, and he became an apostle, and 
travelled through many countries, and preach- 
ed the Gospel boldly. The Jews and idolaters 
often beat or stoned him, but God preserved 
him many years. He was at last beheaded at 
Rome. 

Peter was the chief of the apostles. He was 
very active and zealous. He preached boldly, 
and worked many miracles. There was a very 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 91 

good and charitable woman named Dorcas, who 
often made garments for the poor. She fell 
sick and died. They sent for Peter. He pray- 
ed, and Dorcas opened her eyes and sat up. 
Many people saw her, and believed in Christ. 

Afterward Herod — a son of that Herod who 
killed the children of Bethlehem — cast Peter 
into prison. He intended to kill him, but Grod 
sent an angel and delivered him. 

John was the youngest of the apostles. He 
was the beloved disciple of Christ. When 
Christ hung on the cross, he charged John to 
take care of his mother as long as she lived. 
John lived many years. He survived all the 
other apostles. He wrote a book of prophecies 
called the Revelation. 

Most of the apostles, and many of the other 
disciples, became martyrs. The heathen per- 
secuted them cruelly, because they would not 
worship idols and false gods. Some were cru- 
cified, some were stoned to death, some were 
torn in pieces by wild beasts, and some were 
burned alive. But they died praising God, and 
despising the pains of death. They knew that 
their torments would soon be over, and then 
they should be for ever happy in heaven. 



92 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

About thirty-six years after the death of 
Christ, the Jews rebelled against the Romans. 
A Roman army came and destroyed Jerusalem. 
Many of the Jews perished. Since then the 
Jews have been scattered among all nations, 
because they disobeyed God and rejected Christ. 
The Turks now possess the land of Judea. 

aUESTIONS. 

What did the apostles and disciples do after Christ 
had ascended to heaven? What did the Jews do to 
Stephen ? 

How was Saul converted ? 

What miracle did Peter perform ? 

How did Peter escape from Herod ? 

Who was the beloved disciple of Christ ? What hook 
did John write ? 

How did most of the apostles die ? 

What became of Jerusalem and the Jews? Where 
do the Jews now live ? Who now possess the land of 
Judea ? 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 93 

GOD'S COMMANDS BY MOSES. 

Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh 
day thou shalt rest : in earing-time and in 
harvest thou shalt rest. Exod. 34 : 21. 

Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, 
and honor the face of the old man, and fear 
thy God. Lev. 19 : 32. 

Cursed be he that setteth light by his father 
or his mother. Deut. 27 : 16. 

Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a 
stumbling-block before the blind. Lev. 19 : 14. 

If a stranger sojourn with thee, ye shall not 
vex him. Lev. 19 : 33. 

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, 
in mete-yard, in weight, or in measure. Just 
balances, and just weights shall ye have. Lev. 
19 : 35, 36. 

Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale- 
bearer among thy people. Lev. 19 : 16. 

Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor's land- 
mark. Deut. 19 : 14. 

Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, nei- 
ther lie one to another. Lev. 19 : 11. 

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither 
rob him. The wages of him that is hired shall 
not abide with thee. Lev. 19 : 13. 



94 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

The substance of the ten commandments is 
in this book, Section XII. of Part II. Read 
them in full in the 20th chapter of Exodus, 
verses 3-17. 



PRECEPTS OF CHRIST. 
A lawyer asked Jesus, Master, which is the 
great commandment of the law ? Jesus said 
unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and 
with all thy mind : this is the first and great 
commandment. And the second is like unto 
it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 
Matt. 22 : 36-39. 



OUR SAVIOUR'S GOLDEN RULE. 

AH things whatsoever ye would that men 
should do to you, do ye even so to them; for 
this is the law and the prophets. Matt. 7-12. 

A new commandment I give unto you, That 
ye love one another. John 13 : 34. 

Jesus commands us to forgive and pray for 
those who injure us. When he hung on the 
cross, he prayed for his murderers. 



SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 95 

WORSHIP AND PRAYER. 

Oh come, let us worship and bow down : let 
us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 
95 : 6. 

It is pur duty to worship God, and to pray- 
always. Those who never worship God and 
never pray, become hardened in sin, and go 
swiftly to destruction. 

Christians assemble to worship God every 
Sabbath-day. A Christian family worships 
God every morning and evening. Every Chris- 
tian prays often in private. 

The worship of God consists of praise, thanks- 
giving, and prayer. Older and wiser Chris- 
tians teach and exhort the younger, or warn 
the impenitent, and read and explain the word 
of God in the Holy Bible. 

Those who hear, praise God in divine songs 
and hymns. The deaf cannot hear songs, the 
dumb cannot sing ; but they can praise God 
by signs, and in their hearts and thoughts give 
him glory. 

Thanksgiving is from the heart. God ab- 
hors those who thank him with their lips while 
they are not thankful at heart. 

When we worship God in public, or when 



96 SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

we pray in private, we must put away all evil 
thoughts ; we must pray for God's grace to 
make us kind, forgiving, and humble. 

Christ has taught us to pray in this manner : 

THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be 
thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be 
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this 
day our daily bread; and forgive us our tres- 
passes, as we forgive those who trespass against 
us. And lead us not into temptation, but de- 
liver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 



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